I am quite looking forward to leaving Xela only because I am starting to get really annoyed with the deafeningly loud explosion-like fireworks (itīs not even really fireworks, it sounds like they are bombing the city) and risk of getting injured by firecrackers the kids are playing with on the streets. And itīs supposed to get worse and worse as we approach Navidad (christmas).
Today the town celebrated the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Virgin Mary is particular important to people of Xela. The story goes that right after the big earthquake here in 1902, someone saw, above the volcano that loomed over town, the figure of Mary in the smoke. And since there hasnīt been another big earthquake, the people here believe that Mary are here to protect them and named the volcano Santa Maria. Last night they had a huge procession around the Park.
Yesterday, they celebrated the Day of the Devil by taking out their garbage (i was told itīs mostly just paper and wood) and burned them on the street. I unfortunately didnīt witness any of it because I was builiding a fence at the organic farm all day.
Anyhow, I finished my four weeks of spanish classes Friday, and I am leaving Xela soon. Itīs kind of sad. I am just beginning to speak better Spanish, making friends with more locals, getting into working at the cafe and the organic farm, etc. But at the same time I am getting quite excited to see other parts of Guatemala, and not being woken up at the crack of dawn by firecrackers, getting allergic reactions to the contaminated air and extreme climate.
We were able to put up part of the fence yesteday at Proyectos Ecologicos with Tina and Estuardo. We felt quite accomplished considering we have been spenidng weeks digging holes and putting in the poles for the fence. Itīs quite hard work! But soon, the neighbors wonīt be able to come steal our little trees and dump garbage all over the farm.
Posted by Karen at December 08, 2002 02:43 AM | TrackBack